Dr. Yoshi's 12 Basic Steps for Anti-Aging Your Brain

This is the first in a series of videos I will be doing over the next few weeks called Dr. Yoshi's 12 Basic Steps for Anti-Aging Your Brain. I will be reviewing various factors that affect our brain, how we age, and our overall health.

In Step #1, I'm going to discuss packaged and processed foods. Are all packaged and processed foods unhealthy? How do they affect our long term health? How do they fit into a healthy lifestyle? How can we stop or reduce our consumption of these types of foods? What if we can't avoid these types of foods? Those are all good questions, and I have a few suggestions that can help along the way.

While health food stores have improved upon the usual processed foods we purchase from our neighborhood grocery, they still can contain things that aren't good for us. While most of us can't (or won't ;) cut out packaged and processed foods completely, we can educate ourselves and be more aware of ingredients that should be avoided. We all want to enjoy what we are eating, but it's wise to make sure it has good nutritional value. Being consciously aware of what we are putting into our bodies keeps us on the right path to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, my advice to you is... read the label! And then decide :)

Two ingredients to avoid as much as possible are sugars and vegetable oils. NEWSFLASH: Organic cane sugar isn't actually healthy. It is better than corn syrup, but it's still sugar. Many foods contain processed sugar in some form, so checking the ingredients for hidden forms of sugar or 'healthy' forms of sugar will help keep us on track. As I have said before, I consider vegetable oils to be a bigger problem than sugar. Sunflower oil, canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, 'vegetable oil', peanut oil, cottonseed oil, and safflower oil can and will do harm to our bodies. And even once we quit consuming these oils, it can take a long time (months or even years) for our bodies to eliminate them from our system. So, get an oil change by purchasing foods that use healthier oils from coconut, avocado, ghee, high-quality pastured animal fats, or unheated olive oil.

So what do people who have great health and longevity tend to indulge in for those "guilty pleasures?" They consume foods that are naturally rich and healthy and high in nutritional value. Things like mold-free wine (disclosure: Dr. Yoshi does receive a small percentage as an affiliate, but this is the wine he mainly drinks when he does and it's what he'd recommend regardless) or pastured raw natural cheeses or organic fruit and nuts, to name a few.

One thing to consider is what triggers our reactions when dealing with what we put in our mouth. Pretty packaging can be pretty persuasive when we are in a vulnerable state (hungry, tired, stressed, unhappy). It is a good habit to pause, take a breath (or two), read the label (especially when shopping), and consider identifying the emotional state why we are choosing that food... and then we can make an informed conscious decision.

Don't get me wrong, it's okay to indulge in those guilty pleasures every so often, as long as it is in moderation and with conscious consideration. We're only human after all, right? Whether we choose to have "cheat days" or "cheat weekends" or some other conscious indulgence plan, it's best to actually HAVE a plan to avoid the guilt that comes later. That way, it's a bit easier to manage those times when we do indulge, knowing that it is okay too.

I hope this video series serves you well... Be on the lookout for Step #2 coming soon :)

Enjoy the video below, and as always, please feel free to pass this along!

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Yoshi Rahm, DO. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or another healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

Do not use the information provided in this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or another healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

Information provided in this article and the use of any products or services related to this article by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Yoshi Rahm, DO. or any other physician featured in this article. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.